THE VERGE OF AN ABYSS

Waikato Times, Volume 94, Issue 14769, 7 October 1921, Page 5

THE VERGE OF AN ABYSS

J APAN ESE-U.S. A. FRICTION rS OPTIMISM JUSTIFIABLE? AN ENGLISH JOURNAL’S MISGIVINGS (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) Received October (5, 10.50 p.m. LONDON, October 5. The Daily Express, discussing the possibility of war between Hie United Skill's and Japan, asks; "Will the Washington conference avert Hie peril? Uur information does not warrant optimism. The public yiusL understand that the country is standing again on the verge of an abyss, and ifi.it Imperial interests in Canada, Australia and the Far, East arc vitally threatened.” After pointing out Hie causes of friction between the United Slates and Japan the paper proceeds to say: <rßeyond these causes of friction some indefinable impulse drives Ihe United Slates In push its tentacles Inwards the Western Pacific, while the surge of growing population and military ambition urges the Japanese to earmark the Pacific as their own. Unless these ambitions and impulses can be reconciled rival shipbuilding will proceed and when naval building has reached a certain point (probably about 1023) there will come another war. Australia, supported the Anglo-.lapancsc Treaty because of the sure knowledge that the treaty would be her safeguard if, and when, the Eastern and Western Powers spring at each other’s throats, as otherwise the first rush of the Oriental onset taking the Philippines and Guam in its stride would fall on Australia.”